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Fit It In!

Strategies and Tips to Help Squeeze in Some Exercise during Your Busy Day

Everyone agrees that they should exercise regularly, but who has time? Between soccer game trips, business meetings and house projects, how do you squeeze in a workout? With a little smart planning, it is possible.

Six Strategies to Help you Fit in a Workout

Whether you’re a stay-at-home parent or a career woman or man, here are tips that might help you get in a regular workout.

1. Get up earlier. This may be tough to do at first, but the bottom line is that sometimes the only way to make time is to start earlier. Offset this by getting to sleep earlier. Even 20 or 30 minutes will be a good start.

2. Consider commuting. If it’s a realistic option, try cycling or running to work or to do errands. This can be one of the most effective ways to consistently exercise during the week, with small to moderate time sacrifices.

3. Do a lunchtime workout. If you have a nine-to-five office job, squeeze in a lunchtime workout at a nearby health club, running trail or fitness facility. Make sure you eat a nutritious snack at your desk while you work.

4. Set the table for dinner with a workout. Fitting in a workout before dinner requires self-discipline, but it can be a great evening re-energizer. If you’re in charge of dinner, rally the troops to help out and begin to prepare the meal while you shower.

5. Focus on weekends. If, no matter what you do, weekday exercise just isn’t happening, focus on longer workouts on weekends when you’ll have more flexibility. Block off a bigger chunk of time to offset your lack of exercise during the week.

6. Plan out your week. Have a weekly planning session on a Sunday evening or night. Instead of finding time for exercise, adopt the attitude that you must make time. Schedule your workouts in your weekly planner in the same way you would an appointment.

Five Time-saving Exercise Tips

Besides having a scheduling strategy, try these tips to help you get the most out of your day.

1. Organize your gear. No matter when you workout, organize your apparel and gear so you’re ready to go in minutes. That’s especially important for morning workouts—have your clothes set out and a gym bag packed.

2. Combine trips. During your work commute or errand running, bring your workout gear with you. Stop at the health club or running trail along the way.

3. Recruit some help. Ask your spouse (nicely) to run that errand or pick up the kids from school. That way you can workout. Explain that you’ll be happier and healthier, which benefits both of you. It might be a tough sell, but it won’t hurt to ask!

4. Exercise at home. Reduce travel from the health club or YMCA by investing in some gym equipment, such as a treadmill or elliptical machine. More affordable alternatives are a yoga DVD, Pilates gear or an inflatable exercise ball.

5. Do group workouts. Join a group workout, such as running, cycling, walking or yoga, which is a fixed appointment. This saves you time worrying about when to workout.

Find the perfect opportunity in your busy day to exercise. Try some of these time-saving tips. You’ll be squeezing in your workouts in no time.